China Highlights

Our tour starts today in Hong Kong, where East meets West. Known for its glittering skyline and rich heritage, Hong Kong is where ancient culture and modern city life live in harmony.

For those arriving on time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6:30pm for a welcome meeting, followed by the opportunity to meet your fellow travellers over dinner (not included).

There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Hong Kong at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), which is a 40-minute drive from our hotel. If you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up at 9am on day 2.

There is plenty to see and do in Hong Kong, so if you would like to visit the Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha) on Lantau Island, or embark on one of the many hikes surrounding the city, it's advisable to book an additional night before your tour starts.

If your flight arrives earlier in the day, the options are endless, but you could take the underground to the waterfront of Victoria Harbour, and then on to Temple Street Night Market in Kowloon. Stay: Panda Hotel (or similar) (Comfortable)

Situated in a dramatic setting, Hong Kong is a lively, sophisticated city and an important financial centre. We spend the morning exploring this remarkable city on an orientation tour by metro, ferry and on foot, taking in sites such as Kowloon Waterfront, the Star Ferry, the Stock Exchange, Des Voeux Road, Li Yuen Street markets, Man Mo Temple and the Bank of China.

The afternoon is left free for independent exploration. Public transport is efficient and easy to use. You can take a funicular railway to Victoria Peak or a launch out to a floating restaurant in Aberdeen Harbour. Alternatively, seek out a traditional cha chaan teng for pineapple buns and milk tea, admire the latest sartorial and electronic fashions, or splurge on an afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel. Stay: Panda Hotel (or similar) (Comfortable) (B)

After a relaxed breakfast, we'll transfer to Hong Kong West Kowloon station and board the high-speed train to Guilin. Our border formalities will be completed in Hong Kong and therefore we will need to be at the station a couple of hours before. The train journey will take three hours arriving into Guilin in the late afternoon. Guilin is known as the gateway to the stunning limestone scenery for which this part of China is known and was once an important transport hub of the Qin Dynasty thanks to the construction of the Ling Canal in 214 BC.

After checking into our hotel, we'll head out for dinner before going on an orientation walk around Guilin this evening. Stay: Guilin Grand Hotel (or similar) (Comfortable) (B)

This morning, we head to MoPanShan Dock where we board our cruise to Yangshuo on the Li River passing paddy fields, villages and stunning limestone scenery along the way. Lunch is taken aboard the boat during the journey. An afternoon arrival into Yangshuo offers the opportunity to explore this laidback town - a contrast to the bustle of Hong Kong.

This evening you may choose to see an impressive outdoor sound and light show. Please note, the show may be offered the following evening depending on the weather. Stay: The West Street Hotel Grand Rezen (or similar) (Comfortable) (B/L)

Yangshuo has a lot to offer, so the day is free to explore at your own pace. You can walk among the surrounding karst summits, explore the town on foot, hire a bike and cycle through the country back lanes. There is the option to do a half-day bike ride that will take you out of the main town, where you will be able to explore the smaller country back lanes. For those who don't want to bike ride, there is also the option of trying your hand at Chinese cooking or calligraphy. Stay: The West Street Hotel Grand Rezen (or similar) (Comfortable) (B)

You will start early as you travel approximately 1.5 hours to Guilin Airport in time for your morning flight to Xi'an.

Our stay in Xi'an reveals the extraordinary continuity of Chinese civilisation. Xi'an (Changan) served 11 dynasties and was the very starting point of the Silk Road connecting Asia with Europe. We spend the morning on a sightseeing tour visiting ancient monuments, including the Big Wild Goose Pagoda \emdash a seven-storey, 64-metre-high structure with superb views over the city \emdash and the wonderful 15th-century Great Mosque in the old Muslim Hui District.

Our property in Xi'an is a traditional Chinese hotel located close to the northern section of Xi'an's city walls, and is a short walk from the Muslim Quarter. Stay: Jinyuan Furun Hotel (or similar) (Comfortable) (B)

After a relaxed morning, we drive to one of the highlights of any visit to China \emdash the magnificent Terracotta Warriors and Horses, who guard the Qin Shi Huangdi Tomb. There are literally thousands of life-size warriors dating from 200 BC. This dramatic find of the 1970s is considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the century. Depending on the group's interest, there is the option of stopping at the on-site factory to see how the warriors are made today.

Due to the UNESCO World Heritage status and global popularity of the Terracotta Army, the site is visited by thousands of people each day, so crowds are to be expected.

After lunch, we'll head back to Xi'an, where we will take a walk on the city walls. There is the option this evening to spend your time at leisure or take part in the optional dumpling banquet and Tang Dynasty Show. Stay: Jinyuan Furun Hotel (or similar) (Comfortable) (B)

This morning, we have an early start as we catch the bullet train from Xi'an to Beijing, which takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes.

Upon arrival this afternoon, we head out for our tour of Beijing. Kublai Khan made Beijing the capital of his mighty Asian empire in the late 1200s, and it has often played a central role since then. Nowadays, Beijing is China's capital and its political and cultural centre, and all clocks in this vast country are set to Beijing time, despite the westernmost regions being some 5,000 km away.

This afternoon, we plan to visit the vast Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, the one-time home of the Ming and Manchu (Qing) emperors, and a treasure trove of eastern wares.

The evening is left free to relax after a full day of exploring China's capital.

Please be aware that the number of visitors allowed in the Forbidden City has been reduced following the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in fewer tickets being available. While we will strive to secure tickets for the Forbidden City in advance, if we are unable to do so for day 8, we will schedule our visit for day 9 following the tour of the Great Wall. In the rare instance that delegates visit Beijing, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square may close at short notice. Stay: Xiao Xiang Hotel (or similar) (Comfortable) (B)

Today, we visit a renovated part of the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu, a two-and-a-half-hour drive north of the city. Begun in the 3rd century BC by Shi Huangdi, thousands of conscripted workers laboured on it, and many lie buried within its brick and stone ramparts. It is incredible to think that this wall spans the entire country. Here, there is a 2-kilometre (1.2-mile) section to walk along, complete with watchtowers and views of the surrounding countryside. We drive back to Beijing later this afternoon.

This evening, there is the option of seeing an acrobatic performance. You may also want to seek out a place to try Peking duck. Stay: Xiao Xiang Hotel (or similar) (Comfortable) (B)

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Beijing.

There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from either Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) which is a 90-minute drive from our hotel or Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) which is a one-hour 45-minute drive away. (B)